Best Specialty Markets of Indy

Your everything guide to the city’s gourmet groceries.

Grocery lists are not what they used to be. Whether it’s a new recipe, a craving for ethnic cuisine, or just a fresh interest in local food that launches a hunt for unfamiliar ingredients, Indy’s brigade of culinary markets has the goods. We scanned the aisles of 42 top-shelf grocery stores, noting everything from their produce to their fancy chocolates. Here’s everything you need to satisfy your taste for adventure.

DOWNTOWN

Angelo’s Food MarketBargain-hunters love Angelo’s no-frills shelves filled with a rotating stock of discounted groceries like Earth’s Best, Red Gold, and some high-end gourmet packaged goods (don’t miss the rock bottom–priced Clif bars). The boxes may be crushed and the cans sometimes dented, but it’s hard to resist the deals and thrill of discovery at this food-salvage shop. 201 S. College Ave., 317-634-6552

Carniceria GuanajuatoYou can find supplies for your next fiesta at this mini-chain’s three locations. But this is also the place to procure limes, avocados, dried and fresh chiles, bags of dried beans, and other staples at great prices—or just stop at the in-house taqueria for authentic tacos and the like. The snout-to-hoof selection of meats at one of Indy’s largest butcher counters (at the northwestside location) is especially impressive, and that site’s taqueria serves an eye-popping “meat table” that could easily feed a family of six. 1269 Oliver Ave., 317-423-8697, carniceriagto.net

Insider tip: Saturday afternoon is when most customers stock up for the week’s cooking, so steer clear of the butcher case or choose another day for browsing.Go there for: Extra-large packs of corn tortillasHours: Daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m. (varies slightly by store)

Claus’ German Sausage & MeatsYou can smell the smoke before you even open the door at this German institution, which relocated in 2007 shortly after Claus Muth bought his uncle’s business. Don’t get lost in the selection of wursts and lunchmeats—almost all of them are delectable, especially the smoky kielbasa, tender parsley-studded weisswurst, and the nicely spiced Cajuns. Ask the knowledgeable staff for their favorites. 1845 S. Shelby St., 317-632-1963, clausgermansausageandmeats.com

Insider tip: The Muths close down the market on July 4 for three weeks every summer for an extended staff vacation, so be sure to stockpile early for your summer barbecues.Go there for: WurstsHours: Tues.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

The deli case at R2GO sells top-shelf sandwich fixings.

R2GOBorn from the culinary mind behind R Bistro, this bright and cheery market is filled with specialty and gourmet packaged products like Best Boy hot sauce, Dang coconut chips, Kerrygold butter, and Talenti gelato. There are also plenty of fresh-made meals—including carrot-coconut soup, French peasant soup, and shepherd’s pie—for home chefs with less time on their hands. 1101 N. College Ave., 317-737-2543, r2goindy.com

Smoking GooseThis establishment, which also goes by the name of Dorman St. Meat Locker, is the cozy portal to the artisanal meat magic that happens in the back of the near-downtown meatery, where bacon, sausage, prosciutto, and other meats are cured on location. 407 Dorman St., 317-638-6328, smokinggoose.com

Wildwoord Market arranges its curated stock in a former service station.

Wildwood MarketThe shelves of this Fountain Square service station–turned–grocer cover just about everything on your grocery list, along with a few must-have impulse buys—but with the added perk of nearly every product coming from regional suppliers. The stock inventory reads like a roster of top local producers: Fischer Farms meats, Circle City Sweets, Fermenti Artisan relishes, Amelia’s breads. 1015 Virginia Ave., 317-737-2653, wildwoodmarket.com

Insider tip: Say no to a bag at checkout, and they will give you some Endangered Species chocolate.Go there for: The sandwich of the day (especially if it’s candied bacon with Hook’s sharp cheddar, onion-garlic aioli, pickled apples, and arugula on Amelia’s Francese bread)Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

EAST

The Meat Shop of Indianapolis It’s meat and not much more at this strip-mall storefront. Your next backyard barbecue plans itself as cases of pork, chicken, steak, and house brats surround you. And the butchers behind the counter are more than happy to meet your exacting requests. 5435 E. 38th St., 317-737-2622, the-meat-shop.com

Pogue’s Run Grocer brings high-quality regional fare to the east side.

Pogue’s Run GrocerOpened in 2010, Indy’s first food co-op is still going strong, with a selection of local, natural, and organic groceries. Hit up this neighborhood spot for boutique-brand peanut butters, cereals, pickles, and condiments, as well as local meats. The deli offerings can be layered on sandwiches for carryout and dining in, and the back wall is a Mecca of bulk-bin nuts, grains, rice, flour, pasta, tea, herbs, and spices. 2828 E. 10th St., 317-426-4963, poguesrungrocer.org

Your Local Deli and MarketSandwiches with names like Cranturkey, Drunkin Radish, Sultry Chicken, and Beer and Bacon are the stars at this family-owned Irvington staple, which also houses a few rows of groceries. Quality beats quantity for the market options, leaning heavily on Hoosier handcrafted condiments such as Triple XXX root-beer jelly and Robbybaby’s Kitchen sweet Asian chili sauce. 5543 E. Washington St., 317-653-1812

Insider tip: This may be the only place in town where you can find wild, line-caught Alaskan salmon.Go there for: Mushroom soupHours: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

WEST

Great Mart Oriental MarketGreat Mart is not your typical Asian market. Yes, it has sweet chili sauce and numerous options for noodle-lovers, but it also offers yuzana laphet, frozen crickets, and whole bamboo shoots. This is also the place to go if you want to experience real Burmese foods. 4713 W. 30th St., 317-297-3313

Insider tip: Head here to buy rice in bulk.Go there for: Pithecellobium lobatum benth, or dogfruit, a legume that is a staple in the Southeastern Asian dietHours: Mon.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

NORTHEAST

Artisano’s Oils and SpicesInspired by an expedition to Europe, David Burcham opened Artisano’s as a spot to get vinegars and more than 300 spices, many not native to these shores. Burcham’s store also carries locally made products like Freedom of Peach barbecue sauce. 1250 E. 86th St., 317-251-4100, artisanosoils.com

Asia MartTucked behind Castleton Square Mall, this tidy pan-Asian grocer with just eight aisles is easy to miss. But bring your recipe for pad thai or pho or moo shu pork, and you will likely find everything you need, from palm sugar to shrimp paste to live lobsters and whole fish. A surprising selection of Asian produce is also available, along with plenty of gadgets and small appliances. 6103 E. 86th St., 317-845-8892, asiamartgrocery.com

Caplinger’s Fresh CatchIt didn’t take long for fish-lovers to discover Nick and Andrew Caplinger’s seafood counter. At lunch, every table in the shop fills up with customers hooked on fresh fish sandwiches and oysters shucked to order. But all that just serves as inspiration for take-home gems—like live lobsters and sushi-grade tuna—plucked from the iced counter. A refrigerated case holds treasures like frozen alligator meat, and it’s hard to resist the pies and tiny jars of roe along the counter. 7460 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-288-7263, caplingersfreshcatch.com

Insider tip: If you dine in, expect a bit of a wait. Everything is cooked fresh to order.Go there for: The house lobster saladHours: Tues.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Carniceria GuanajuatoSee downtown listing for details.

3110 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-546-5150

The Cheese ShopTake your next picnic up a notch by shopping at this caseophile’s dream that dates back to 1974 (when it opened in one of the earliest incarnations of The Fashion Mall) and moved to its current location in 2010. Cheeses from around the world—like Ewephoria from Holland, Huntsman from the United Kingdom, and Gjetost from Norway—wait in lit cases to be paired with wines, preserves, charcuterie, and other gourmet goodies. This is also a good place for exploring culinary curiosities like Helix snails and a variety of caviar or simply procuring the most covetable German mustards, chutneys, spreads, and truffle oils. 8487 Union Chapel Rd., 317-202-6885, thecheeseshop.com

Good Earth Natural Food CompanyIn business since 1971, this creaky health-food store by the Broad Ripple canal houses a maze of organic eats—from Endangered Species chocolates to Fermenti Artisan kombucha—and natural supplements from brands like Garden of Life and Nordic Naturals. At the top of a tucked-away staircase, the second level presents a selection of fresh soaps as well as a Birkenstock store and a counter that stocks more than 300 herbs and spices for cooking and medicinal uses. 6350 Guilford Ave., 317-253-3709, good-earth.com

Goose the MarketThis cheery neighborhood shop centers around a meat case brimming with the local brand’s own cured gems—like salame cotto, Kitchen Sink sausage, and the fiery Delaware Fireball—positioned alongside more far-flung offerings, like French cheeses. The shop is small but mighty and filled with charm, its large front windows offering an inviting nook for lunch. Every item in the store seems handpicked by someone who knows how to host a dinner party complete with Brooklyn Brine Company pickles and Red Duck ketchup. 2503 N. Delaware St., 317-924-4944, goosethemarket.com

Insider tip: Every third Thursday, customers can bring in their own records to play on the turntable in the downstairs wine cellar.Go there for: Local meatsHours: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Heidelberg Haus specializes in German baked goods.

Heidelberg HausIt’s a Deutsch wonderland inside this festive 47-year-old bakery rimmed with shelves of gnome figurines and decorative bier steins. While your eyes feast on the German knickknacks and brightly packaged imports like Kinder chocolates and Schluckwerder’s marzipan, your nose will lead you straight to the cases of layered cakes, strudels, Danishes, pretzels, and shiny loaves of bread baked daily by co-owner Juergen Jungbauer, former pastry chef to Lyndon B. Johnson. 7625 Pendleton Pike, 317-547-1230, heidelberghaus.com

Locally Grown GardensChef Ron Harris’s boutique produce market and outdoor cafe has always had a Caribbean feel to it, with reggae music playing late into the night. But lately this gourmet spot, which opened in 2008 in a gas station dating to the ’50s, has taken on a decidedly Parisian feel with canisters of fleur de sel, jars of Pommery mustard, and a full line of Pillivuyt restaurant porcelain. Stacks of firewood and a smoldering smoker outside (which produces delectable pulled pork you can eat at a communal table or take home) lead to pristine bins of apples and tomatoes and a counter where you can get pies and breads fresh from Harris’s ovens. 1050 E. 54th St., 317-255-8555, locallygrowngardens.com

Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta and MarketThe nests of fresh pasta, in flavors ranging from tomato-basil rigatoni to pumpkin pappardelle, get top billing at this SoBro shop run by chef Tony Hanslits and his wife, Rosa. The couple are just as serious about their line of homemade sauces (like Alfredo and Puttanesca) and selection of breads (some baked onsite). An Italian deli case stocked with wooden board–ready meats like Volpi Genova salami, Prosciutto di Parma, and mortadella covers the meat-tray gamut. 1134 E. 54th St., 317-257-7374, nicoletaylorspasta.com

One World MarketTechnicolor cuts of exceptionally fresh tuna, salmon, and fluke light up the cases at this Japanese-owned gem of an Asian grocer in Castleton. Stop here to get your hands on gyoza or spring-roll wrappers for your next dinner party, as well as thin cuts of beef for hot pots, a wide selection of rice and noodles, magnums of sake, and a surprising selection of fresh produce and hard-to-find sauces and spices. Stay for a sushi lunch or a steaming bowl of ramen—or grab a fried pork-cutlet bento box for a tasty lunch. 8466 Castleton Corner, 317-842-3442

Insider tip: The lines of savvy sushi-lovers ordering bowls of udon and spicy tuna rolls can get long at lunchtime, so do your shopping after the rush.Go there for: One of Indy’s largest selections of misoHours: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Patel BrothersIndian staples come to you in a modern grocery experience at this Chicago-based chain. Bins of fresh, exotic produce like the bitter gourd karela and round eggplant fill half of this well-lit and organized store. Shelves of specialty spices, flours, and rice take up most of the rest, along with freezer cases full of quick-serve convenience items like falafel mix, Maggi Masala Noodles, Patel’s korma paste, and frozen masala. Second location opening soon at 6302 E. 82nd St., patelbros.com

Insider tip: Need some entertainment for your Indian-themed party? Check out the selection of Bollywood videos.Go there for: Indian spices in bulk and frozen entrees perfect for lunchHours: Daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Penzeys SpicesYou might feel like a pirate meandering through the stacked crates of spices, herbs, and extracts gathered from around the globe—from Vietnamese cinnamon to Chicago steak seasoning. Each of the 200-plus products has a sample jar to let you see (and sniff) for yourself what new flavors you want to commandeer for the kitchen. 5345 E. 82nd St., 317-577-7778, penzeys.com

Sakura MartThis tightly packed Asian grocery store just down the street from the popular sushi bar of the same name stocks mostly prepackaged foods like miso soups and funky carbonated Ramune sodas, along with household items for sushi chefs in-the-making (get your bamboo mats and Japanese knives here) and a large selection of Japanese comic books and movies. Labels aren’t in English, but don’t hesitate to ask Sunny Kim, the owner, or her daughter, Alex, for assistance. 2450 E. 71st St., 317-726-1755

Insider tip: Brush up on your Cyrillic before you go—most of the labels are in Russian.Go there for: The chocolate Skazka roll cakeHours: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Carniceria GuanajuatoSee downtown listing for details.

5210 W. Pike Plaza Rd., 317-222-1003

Business is healthy at Georgetown Market.

Georgetown MarketGeorgetown Market opened its doors in 1973 at a time when terms like “paleo” and “gluten-free” weren’t part of the American lexicon. Located in the Lafayette Square area, this was an early go-to for healthy options such as bulk grains and minimally processed meats, and the family-owned store also boasts the oldest juice bar in the city, pulsing concoctions like the Indy Car Driver (organic carrot, parsley, beet, spinach, and protein-packed spirulina) since 1978. 4375 Georgetown Rd., 317-293-9525, georgetownmarket.com

International Food MarketWhether you’re looking for African spices, Arabic canned foods, or hard-to-find Turkish kitchenware, the International Food Market has you covered. With a wide variety of Mediterranean goods, this store lends an authentic feel the second you walk in the door. Bonus: It’s one of the few places that sells Halal goat and lamb. 4863 W. 38th St., 317-672-7685

Insider tip: If you’re on a gluten-free diet, try the housemade injera—a sponge-like Ethiopian flatbread made from a sourdough starter and iron-rich teff flour.Go there for: Halal meats, slaughtered to the specifics of Islamic lawHours: Daily 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Kincaid’s Meat MarketAt this Butler Tarkington butcher shop, owner Dave Rollins and his employees live by the slogan “It’s Kincaid’s, not corporate America.” Regulars come in for USDA Prime beef and lamb as well as fresh fish, all packaged to order with perhaps a word or two of cooking advice from the person behind the counter (with everyone in the shop qualified as a full meat-cutter). The market also offers a small inventory of dinner-party grab-and-go items like frozen meatballs, St. Elmo shrimp-cocktail sauce, and Graeter’s ice cream. 5605 N. Illinois St., 317-255-5497, lekincaidmeats.com

Saraga International GroceryEqual parts shopping and cultural experiences, this pair of worldly grocery stores—the original located in a sprawling strip mall near Lafayette Square and the second in a bustling southside commercial zone—brim with rows of groceries categorized by their country of origin. One minute you’re amid the matfoul mixes and jars of honeyed nuts of the Middle East; the next, you’re gazing at colorful packages of noodles and bottles of fish sauce in the East Asia section. The produce is exotic (if occasionally past its prime), a patchwork of jackfruit, peppers, and massive stalks of greens. If you’ve ever wondered what freeze-dried squid might taste like, here’s your chance to find out. 3605 Commercial Dr., 317-388-9999, saragafood.com

Insider tip: The staff is more efficient than engaging—have your smartphone ready to answer any questions.Go there for: Every type of noodle in the worldHours: Daily 9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Van’s Fish MarketAn ice buffet of fresh whole fish is the main attraction, but most of the store is crammed full of Vietnamese culinary goodies like rice vermicelli noodles and 50-pound bags of jasmine rice, fresh Asian produce (green papaya, litchi, rau thom), and more kinds of fish sauce than you ever knew existed. 3654 Lafayette Rd., 317-387-1023

NORTH SUBURBAN

Blue Danube European DeliThis small, randomly organized shop brims with products from Central and Eastern Europe. You will find the necessities for creating a traditional Bulgarian meal, like a variety of fetas, minced meats, and relishes. One side of the store houses a refrigerated section of items ranging from homemade soups to pierogi to yogurt. The shop also offers a large shelf of chocolates and wines from the region, and its back wall features a deli case of cheeses and pastramis cut to order. 11850 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, 317-288-0688, bluedanubedeli.com

Insider tip: Get there early to nab one of the savory braided homemade breads.Go there for: Exquisite chocolateHours: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish MarketHeaded into its 10th year of business, Joe Lazzara’s all-in-one gourmet shop in downtown Carmel carries the full array of standard proteins as well as some hard-to-find options like antibiotic-free dried beef and a year-round supply of wild salmon. On the shelves, you’ll spot pasta, wine, sauces, olives, spices, cooking supplies, and favorite brands like Coe’s Noodles, Best Boy sauces, and JohnTom’s barbecue sauce. 111 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-846-8877, joesbutchershop.com

The Olive MillYou might not know the difference between store-bought olive oil and the higher-quality cold-pressed E.V.O.O. (with a 12-month life) sold here. Sample your way through 35 tasting stations by pumping a squirt into a provided paper cup and sipping flavors ranging from blood orange to bacon. 10 S. Range Line Rd., Carmel, 317-574-9200, olivemillgeneva.com

Rail Epicurean MarketLocated slightly off the beaten path in a converted barn, Toby and Melanie Miles’s recently opened restaurant and market in Westfield also serves as a town meeting place. Take a seat at one of the dining-room tables, and a menu (which changes frequently to accommodate Hoosier meats and produce) is presented on a slab of wood. A small grocery sells local and specialty items like B. Happy peanut butters, Liberation Roasting Co. coffee, Traders Point Creamery products, Newfangled Confections candy, Preservation jams, and Martin Acres Farm eggs. 211 Park St., Westfield, 317-804-8555, railepicureanmarket.com

Traders Point Creamery Farm StoreGrazing grass-fed cows greet you when you make the trek through winding back roads to this organic dairy farm. After you’ve toured the milking parlor and grabbed an ice-cream cone from the dairy bar, make a stop at the lower-level farm store, which offers a small spread of Wildflower Ridge honey, Food for Thought jams, Potter’s crackers, and plenty of dairy products. 9101 Moore Rd., Zionsville, 317-733-1700, tpforganics.com/farmstore

Vine & TableThis store carries a selection of wines from $5 to $5,000 as well as craft beer and specialty spirits. Shop for a rare or aged bottle or peruse the shelves of chocolates, candies, and packaged meats and cheeses to create a custom gift basket. See the website for fun events the store hosts in the back room. 313 E. Carmel Dr., Carmel, 317-817-9473, vineandtable.com